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After a wet start to winter & nearly 10 inches of rain in late 2012, we've had a somewhat quiet start to 2013. Chief Meteorologist Jeff Ranieri is tracking the much needed rain and when it arrives in your full forecast. (Published Monday, Feb 18, 2013)

Updated at 9:19 PM PST on Monday, Feb 18, 2013

A winter storm is headed to the Bay Area.

If you spent anytime outside Monday, you probably noticed the clouds stacking up as the temperature dropped.

Cool & Cloudy President's Day; Rain Ahead

Monday had a mostly cloudy and chilly to start with temperatures starting in the upper 30s to low to mid 40s across the region.

The main weather event of the week is a wintery blast that's forecast to hit Tuesday. That's when a cold cored area of low pressure will drop into the Bay Area.

Isolated showers could make a mess of the morning commute with rain by midday.

Snow levels will be dropping as well, as low as 1,500 - 2,500 feet.

The associated cold blast will force temperatures to tumble into the upper 40s for highs. Gusty northwest winds are expected as the front comes through.

Rainfall totals will be between .25” to .75” of an inch across the region.

Showers will likely linger into Wednesday morning as the system moves out of the Bay Area. Expect another cold and cloudy start to the day with plenty of 30s and 40s across the region.

This is known as "ski week" in the Bay Area schools, which means lots of students are out of class and up in Lake Tahoe. The rain will mean snow in the Sierra, but it will be measured in inches and not feet. The forecast is between two and ten inches.

The entire state is being impacted by Old Man Winter.

Winter weather advisories are in effect for much of Southern California as well. Winter storm warnings are in effect for Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura and San Bernardino counties.